See below for the most frequently-asked questions about academic integrity from students. If you have a question that has not been answered, you can reach out to academicintegrity@yorku.ca.
Academic integrity matters because:
- It reflects a student’s commitment to honesty and responsibility in their learning and research
- Working with integrity allows students to:
- gain a true sense of accomplishment for their efforts
- helps ensure that everyone is evaluated fairly based on the quality of their own work
- Upholding academic integrity helps students develop strong habits that benefit them in other areas of life.
Violating academic integrity can result in disciplinary actions under York University’s Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures. However, by developing effective academic skills (including time management, note taking, and study skills) and seeking help when needed, students can avoid feeling overwhelmed and stay focused on their goals.
For more guidance and to connect to supports at York, visit the Student Resources page.
At York, and at most Canadian universities, academic integrity is shaped by Western traditions of research and learning. These expectations may not always match the knowledge-sharing practices from your own culture, but understanding them will help you succeed here. These practices are not universal. Many cultures, including Indigenous communities, have different ways of creating, sharing, and valuing knowledge.
While you’re studying at York (and most Canadian universities), you’ll be expected to follow the Western academic standards, which means:
- Citing sources in specific ways.
- Taking personal responsibility for your work.
- Contributing to the academic community using these established practices.
At the same time, it’s valuable to recognize and respect diverse knowledge systems, which includes the perspectives you bring from your own background. Understanding why Western practices are used here can make it easier to adapt while still valuing your own cultural approach to learning.
You can avoid engaging in academic misconduct by citing your work properly. Part of demonstrating academic integrity involves following conventions and providing acknowledgement when using others’ work; this helps you demonstrate both fairness and respect.
Here are some online resources with information about citations and citing at York:
- Review the Citing Your Work guide
- Complete the SPARK Creating Bibliographies module
- Access the SPARK style guides, such as:
- APA Style: 7th Edition Guide
- MLA Style: 9th Edition Guide
- Chicago Style 17th Edition: Author/Date and Notes & Bibliography formats
- Watch the Writing Centre’s Citation Video Series
- To cite generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, visit Citing Your Work: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools
You can also contact the Library for additional support, which is available in different formats, including chatting with a Librarian for citation help anytime (live chat, book an appointment, meet in person or online).
According to the Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures, when it comes to using AI tools for your academic work, you are required to comply with your instructor’s guidelines.
Some instructors may allow the use of AI tools for certain tasks within their courses, while others may prohibit these tools entirely. It’s important to understand and follow the specific rules set by each of your instructors.
If AI tools are permitted, you should use them to support your learning rather than replace your own thinking and effort. Additionally, you must be transparent about your use of these tools, by citing them appropriately and adhering to any other requirements your instructor may have for disclosing their use.
For more information, visit AI Technology & Academic Integrity: Information for Students.
If you’re ever unsure about the expectations for AI use in an assessment, check your course syllabus, assignment guidelines, and eClass announcements, or ask your professor or TA for clarification.
Yes, according to the Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures:
- “Submitting the work one has done for one class or project to another class, or as another project, without the prior informed consent of the relevant instructors” (section 5.2a viii) is considered to be a breach of cheating.
Sometimes you may want to use parts of an assignment or project you’ve completed before. This is possible, but it has to be done carefully to maintain academic integrity. Here are the key steps to follow:
- Get approval first: Always check with the relevant instructor(s) before reusing your own work.
- Cite yourself: Treat your previous work like any other source and provide proper citation.
- Differentiate clearly: Show which parts are reused and which parts are new.
- Follow course guidelines: Pay attention to any specific instructions your instructor provides.
- Update and improve: Add what you’ve learned in your current course, including new insights or perspectives.
If you witness other students cheating, remind them of York’s expectations for academic integrity. Also, consider reporting the incident to your professor and sharing any evidence you may have.
Cheating is a violation of York University’s Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures because it provides unfair advantages to those students who engage in it. Upholding academic integrity is crucial for ensuring that everyone is evaluated fairly based on their own efforts.
Expectations for group work differ from course to course. According to York's Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures, students are responsible for following their instructors’ expectations for group work and collaboration (section 6.2c). As such, ensure that you each understand the instructor’s guidelines for each assignment regarding how much collaboration is permitted.
Some ways to help ensure that each group member understands academic integrity expectations and completes their work honestly:
- review citation practices as a group so that each member is aware of expectations
- assign tasks in a way that ensures everyone has a clear role in order to prevent a group member from taking shortcuts
- establish regular communication so that each group member can stay informed and on track
- review each other’s contributions to catch any potential issues
- if you or the other group members notice any signs of academic misconduct, or notice that a group member is struggling, address it early. Depending on the situation, offer support or involve the instructor if necessary
- if there’s any uncertainty about academic integrity, reach out to the instructor for clarification
For more information on working effectively in a group, visit the Student Guide to Group Work.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies Academic Integrity Module is designed to provide the graduate community with information and resources on the expectations of academic integrity at York University.
For more information on these modules, please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies Academic Honesty page. For questions, please contact the Graduate Academic Affairs Assistant at gsaahc@yorku.ca.
If you receive notice that you are suspected of a breach, this does not mean that it has been decided that you engaged in a breach. There is a process at York that must be followed in these cases to ensure fairness.
- You will have the opportunity to provide a response to any allegations. You can respond by supplying your side of the story either writing or in person within 10 days of receiving notification.
- If available, supply any related evidence to support your claim.
- You can also request to meet to discuss these allegations with the investigator, and this meeting can occur in person, by phone or via a videoconference platform such as Zoom.
- According to the policy, you may be assisted by an individual if you choose, who may provide support and advice and/or speak on your behalf.
It's important to keep to the timelines, so ensure that you are regularly checking your York email account. If you do not respond to the notification of a suspected breach within 10 business days, the investigator may continue and may complete the investigation without receiving your response.
If it is determined during the investigation or during any part of the process that no academic misconduct took place, the case will be closed, and the allegation will be dismissed. In these cases, all records related to the accusation will be completely removed, meaning there will be no official record of the allegation and no lasting impact on the student’s academic record. The student can continue their academic journey without any consequences related to the dismissed allegation.
For more details, review Section 8.4 (Procedures for Initiating and Conducting an Investigation) of the Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures. For questions, reach out to your Faculty's academic integrity contact.
The current Academic Conduct Policy came into effect on September 1, 2024. In cases where a breach occurred under the previous Academic Honesty Policy (prior to September 1, 2024), the case would be resolved under that policy, unless the student makes a specific request for their case to be handled under the current Academic Conduct Policy.
These requests should be made to the investigator of the case in response to the Notice of Investigation letter that is sent to the student. The request should be made within 10 days of receiving the notice.
The penalties for a breach of academic conduct depend on the specific circumstances of each case. While the potential consequences range from a warning to more severe actions like expulsion, it’s important to note that the harsher penalties are typically reserved for cases of repeated academic misconduct despite educational interventions, or when the breach is particularly serious in nature. In most cases, the penalties aim to educate and correct behaviour, with more severe actions only taken when necessary.
For more details, review Section 5.6 (Sanctions) of the Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures.
Yes. If you have received a penalty for academic misconduct, and wish to appeal, guidance on how to do so will be provided to you within documentation from the investigator. Appeals involve submitting a notice of appeal to the Faculty Appeals Committee, which must be done within 10 business days of receiving the decision from the investigator.
For details on how to appeal, refer to the documentation you receive from the investigator and review Section 8.7 (Appeals) of the Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures.
If you have questions about academic integrity or the academic misconduct process, you can reach out to academicintegrity@yorku.ca for general guidance and support.
For confidential assistance, students may also contact the Office of the Ombudsperson at York University. If you’re facing an allegation, considering an appeal, or seeking clarity on university policies, the Ombudsperson can help you understand procedures and explore your options. While operating impartially and remaining neutral in all cases, the Ombudsperson is dedicated to promoting fairness and equity within the university’s decision-making structures.
Learn more or schedule a consultation: https://www.yorku.ca/unit/ombuds/contact/
Yes. Throughout each academic term the Libraries' offer Academic Integrity: Learn to Stop Worrying about It (online workshop). In this interactive, scenario-based workshop you will learn what Academic Integrity is at York and how you can demonstrate it. Additionally, this workshop will help increase your confidence when it comes to using sources and citing.
This workshop takes place several times each term through Zoom. For more information and to register, visit Instructional Workshops.
Additionally, check News & Events regularly to learn about any other upcoming workshops on academic integrity.
